Berliner Luft – Mouthwash-like Peppermint Liqueur From Berlin

Have you ever been to a bar or night club in Berlin and wondered why bar tenders are serving mouth wash? Well, after many hours of partying until the early morning, this might not even be such a surprising thing to you. However, Berliner Luft is part of a different kind of morning routine despite its refreshing taste.

The originally clear liquid is a traditional peppermint liqueur invented in Berlin during the times of the socialist GDR. The spirit made from water, pure alcohol, sugar and peppermint essences is very smooth and slightly syrupy with a strong, fresh mint flavor. You will find Berliner Luft as a shot in pretty much any bar or night club. To enjoy at home, you can also buy it bottled from supermarkets or the many “Spätis”, Berlins late-night kiosks.

The revival of Berliner Luft

After its former boom in the GDR during which almost 200 million bottles were sold per year, Berliner Luft experienced a minor crash when Germany was reunited. Today, the smooth spirit is very much en vogue again. It has become a common sight at parties or any kind of nightlife venues. The production of the peppermint liqueur now happens right in Berlin. The Schilkin manufactory uses a very traditional way with a mainly manual process! With the drink’s recovering popularity, the company keeps introducing new variations with cherry or elderflower, among others. Absolute favorites are their temporary glittering specials such as the green “Glitter Nights” or the current red “Glitter Kiss”.

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